The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover following the close together departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. But that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing display in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash on home soil suffered by India in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's chances of making the showpiece of this cycle as well.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. But the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, India seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them before.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
